If your franchise is looking to expand brand visibility, attract new customers, and foster customer loyalty, distributing top-tier promotional marketing materials is a must. Whether you’re a franchisee looking for materials for your location or you’re developing materials for the franchise as a whole from headquarters, having the right marketing products can make all the difference in how effectively you engage with your community.
Franchises benefit from the support of a parent brand while simultaneously needing to maintain a strong local presence. Your marketing bridges the gap between the local and the national, helping you increase brand awareness, drive traffic, and create customer relationships. In this article, we’ll explore the top promotional marketing materials that your franchise can use to stand out. From branded merchandise to print materials and more, we’ll discuss strategies that can help you take your franchise marketing to the next level.
Top Promotional Marketing Materials for Franchises
Choosing to produce the right marketing materials is crucial for any franchise. Here are some of the top options that can help your franchise amplify your marketing efforts.
Branded Merchandise
Distributing branded merchandise is one of the most effective ways for your franchise to stay top-of-mind. Here are some examples of products you might want to distribute:
- Pens. Pens are affordable to print, and recipients will use them for years. They’re perfect for events and giveaways.
- Tote bags. Tote bags are stylish and functional, and they let everyone know that you care about being eco-friendly. Since they’re reusable, recipients will be able to keep displaying your name and logo around town for years.
- Apparel. Branded apparel, such as shirts, hats, and jackets, both promote your franchise and create a sense of belonging among both employees and customers. Branded shirts are particularly useful for franchise employees, as they provide a simple branded uniform.
When you distribute branded merchandise, you benefit from increased brand visibility. Many branded items are sturdy and can be used repeatedly. This turns recipients into walking advertisements for your franchise, so the merchandise pays for itself over time. Branded merchandising offers long-term exposure to the public after just a one-time investment, making it a cost-effective form of advertising.
Distributing high quality branded franchise merchandise also builds customer loyalty and can encourage recipients to return to your business. To maximize your merchandise’s effect, distribute items that align with your franchise’s brand and values. Use a thoughtful design and opt for high quality materials, as these will make sure that your items reflect positively on your business.
Promotional Print Materials
Despite the rise of digital marketing, print materials remain essential for every franchise. When it comes to branded print materials, you have a wide array of products at your disposal. Here are some of the materials you might want to distribute:
- Flyers. These effectively advertise limited-time offers, seasonal specials, and local events. You can hand them out in the store, send them in the mail, or post them in well-trafficked areas.
- Brochures. Brochures give you the space to dig in more deeply. Here’s where to provide explanations about your services or products and give recipients the information they need in order to make a purchase.
- Banners. Banners are large and give you the space to make a statement. They’re perfect for grabbing attention at events, on your storefront, or in your community.
- Business cards. Business cards are an essential part of any marketing strategy. By distributing business cards at trade shows and expos, managers, and executives are able to make meaningful connections that make a difference for your franchise.
As you’re designing print materials, think about the following tips to increase effectiveness:
- Use clear messaging. Make sure that your message is concise and easy for readers to understand. Highlight the most important information, such as deals, promotional dates, and calls to action.
- Be consistent with your brand. Use colors, fonts, and imagery that align with your franchise’s branding guidelines. This will help reinforce your identity and help readers recognize you.
- Create an eye-catching design. When needed, invest in professional design services that make your design great, or work from templates that stand out. By including headlines in bold, high-quality images and design elements, and enough white space, you’ll make your printed materials more engaging.
Digital and Print Integration
Combining digital and print marketing creates a more cohesive and effective franchise promotional strategy. This integration helps you reach a wider audience and reinforce your marketing message through exposure in multiple domains.
One top example of successful digital and print integration is a campaign where your print materials direct customers to your website or social media. You can do this by putting QR codes on your flyers and brochures, which lets customers instantly access all of your online information, as well as gain access to special deals.
When combining digital and print marketing, take inspiration from Pizza Hut, which uses the same marketing imagery and branding on both their print ads and their pizza boxes. This ensures that the pizzas are tied into Pizza Hut’s brand experience and creates a seamless experience for customers.
When your franchise blends digital and print marketing, you ensure that your marketing reaches customers no matter where they are, whether they’re browsing online or walking through the store.
Effective Marketing Strategies for Franchises
Creating the right promotional materials is half the battle. Next comes implementing them effectively. This means finding marketing strategies that resonate with your target audience. Here are a few key tips for bringing your strategy to life:
- Identify and segment your target audience. Make sure to tailor your marketing to your target groups’ specific needs and preferences. This might mean segmenting your audience based on demographics, location, or purchasing behavior to make sure your promotions are a hit with the right people.
- Leverage local events. When you participate in local events, you increase your franchise’s profile in your community and engage with potential customers face-to-face. This could include sponsoring a local sports team, setting up a stall at a neighborhood market, or donating products or services to a local school fundraiser. You can use these opportunities to distribute promotional materials and create memorable experiences for your audience, which help them establish positive impressions of your brand.
- Use special promotions and loyalty programs. Establish programs that encourage repeat business. When you welcome members into your franchise’s universe by distributing branded merchandise, you build brand loyalty and increase participants’ connections to your company.
By focusing on these strategies, you can make your marketing efforts count and build stronger relationships with your local communities.
Franchise Marketing Services at The Print Authority
At The Print Authority, we understand the unique needs of franchises when it comes to developing and distributing high-quality promotional marketing materials that make a difference. We print a wide range of franchise marketing products that help you succeed. Our passionate team can work with you to create effective marketing campaigns that elevate your brand and drive results. We specialize in providing custom online print portals that make distributing your marketing materials easy.
When you’re ready to take your franchise’s marketing strategy to the next level with high-quality print materials, get in touch with The Print Authority to get started.